UK repeats offer to return portions of land in its Cyprus bases

UK repeats offer to return portions of land in its Cyprus bases

Following a debate in the House of Lords, the UK government has offered, once more, to reach a settlement and surrender certain areas of land which are currently occupied by the its bases at Akrotiri and Dhekelia, to Cyprus.

“The Foreign Secretary confirmed to Parliament on 1st June this year that the UK has made this generous offer as part of a proper comprehensive settlement, we will surrender nearly half of the land mass of the SBA territories,” Lord Stopford, Earl of Courtown has said. He also mentioned that discussions regarding the settlement between President Nicos Anastasiades and President Mustafa Akinci, look hopeful.

Lord Anderson of Swansea however, pointed out that the discussion of this matter, which includes Britain, Greece and Turkey, as guarantor powers of Cyprus, is no longer relevant since the country is part of the European Union.

Countering this observation, UK government representative Lord Stopford, stressed that Britain still meets its current obligations under the Treaty of Guarantee aiming at achieving a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation as outlined by the UN Security Council resolutions and will continue to support both communities.